NRB IT POLICY 2068
Use of modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is indispensable to carry out banking functions more effectively and efficiently. As banks are recently exposed to modern ICT, it needs to capitalize the opportunities available and face the challenges created by it. Increased use of ICT in business operations and service delivery by adopting innovative ICT system, and using emerging cloud computing services has to be encouraged. For these, NRB guidelines formulate the strategic plans to implementation of state-of-the-art ICT system for banks including Data Centre, Production Site and Disaster Recovery (DR) Site.
NRB’s
existing ICT policy and guidelines includes outsourcing the non-core ICT
services, promoting automation in the Bank, strengthening institutional memory
through digitization and safeguarding the information management system. In
this regard, NRB’s ICT policy and guidelines has to be amended to accommodate
the emerging changes in the ICT system as per time needs. It is important to
protect the system from potential cybercrimes, hardware breakdown, network
failures, and unauthorized access to data and information.
The
use of information technology by banking sector has changed the way they do
their business. It has become a part of business rather than supporting factor
of business and has created challenges of managing and governing it in changing
environment. Issues of tackling with changes in technology, migrating system
from one to another, maintain adequate internal control system, limiting access
to system and data from unauthorized access, securing electronic transactions ,
meeting legal requirements, managing outsourcing services, and managing other
IT related risks have been emerged in banking sector.
1.
Ensure efficient,
effective and economic IT operation by implementing appropriate IT systems,
e.g., Financial Information System (FIS), Management Information System (MIS),
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System, Real Time Gross Settlement System
(RTGS), Scripless Securities Settlement System (SSSS) etc.
2.
Maintain well
structured, secured physical layout of its IT infrastructure with proper
documentation.
3.
Maintain
multilevel security for Information.
4.
Implement IT
system audit.
5.
Develop, implement
and maintain data backup and recovery policy.
6.
Establish and maintain efficient, effective
and economic Disaster Recovery (DR) System as an instrument to "Fail Safe
System" with minimum down time. Also, develop and maintain Business
Continuity Plan (BCP).
7.
Develop and
implement IT Outsourcing and Third Party involvement mechanism.
8.
Maintain uniform
and legitimate IT infrastructure in all its offices.
9.
Provide IT directives
to licensed Banks and Financial Institutions.
10.
Set a standard for
IT procurement and shall be reviewed based on technological development.
11.
Promulgate
"NRB IT Code of Conduct" for proper usage of NRB IT resources.
12.
Strengthen IT capacity building of employees
Conclusion,
NRB
has felt necessary to regulate and guide IT related 12 activities as a guidelines
for commercial banks with the objectives
of strengthening banks for tacking with emerging cyber frauds, managing
information technology prudently and mitigating risk aroused from
implementation of information technology.
Online Reference
Nepal
Rastra Bank www.nrb.org.np
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